INDIANAPOLIS—The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), along with UW-Superior, is proud to announce that Rocco Paulson has been named to the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as the UMAC representative. This is a three-year appointment on the national committee that will commence at the NCAA Convention in January 2026.
SAAC is a committee of student-athletes from NCAA member institutions that provides insight into the student-athlete experience and offers input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes' lives. Members of the SAAC are responsible for communicating with their conference office regarding key issues impacting student-athletes, and they serve as a liaison between the conference office and the student-athletes.
“This is a tremendous honor that reflects Rocco’s passion for advocacy, leadership, and service,” said UW-Superior Director of Athletics, Nick Bursik. “He will serve as an outstanding representative for UW-Superior and the UMAC while continuing to champion the voice of student-athletes and enhancing experiences and opportunities.”
Paulson is a junior and a member of the Yellowjackets’ men’s basketball team.
“I have been a part of many clubs and groups throughout my academic career, but I really found a passion in the student government, eventually leading me to SAAC once I got to UW-Superior,” Paulson said. “While serving as a member and eventually the President, I got to see the impact students can have on a school and the change we can push forward if we give people an opportunity to voice their ideas. When a position opened on the National SAAC to be able to share voices onto an even larger stage, I felt that it was my duty to become a catalyst for that.”
The Duluth, Minn. native has earned two Academic All-Conference honors and plans to become a teacher after graduation. “Coming out of high school, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue with my sport,” he said. “I knew I wanted to get my teaching degree and work at a school because that was my first passion. When I was looking at colleges and being recruited out of high school, I came to find that doing both was very achievable and something I needed to think about deeper. Through talking with Head Coach (Greg) Polkowski and the staff, we talked about what the future could look like as both a student at a school known for its teaching program, as well as being a part of the basketball team. Safe to say I made the right decision!”
This SAAC committee serves the great Division III student-athlete membership and the community in DIII has resonated with Paulson. “What I have come to love most about playing in NCAA Division III is on any given day, I don't just interact with my basketball teammates and coaches; I have built lasting bonds with so many other sports teams and programs that have really helped our athletic programs foster a feeling of togetherness that is hard to come by at larger schools. I am forever grateful to have the opportunity to do that and keep those bonds growing with every new day on campus.
“I have fallen in love with the campus life at this level, the networking and opportunities are endless, and being able to do all these things I love, as well as rekindling the joy I had for my sport, has made my college experience at the DIII level that much more amazing,” he noted.